Quote:
Originally Posted by Fritillary  My first animal I helped to survive was a baby mouse. I was about 8 y o. The roof where I lived as a child had mice and one day one baby fall down. The head was like a triangle (the impact of the fail) naked and the eyes were still closed. I fed with cow milk in secret. If my parents knew they would be angry and the little mouse survived  .
I have nourrished several babies: Kittens, swifts, caterpillars, etc etc. hurt animals etc etc. I always take a hurt animal and i will do the best to recover. If not, I have learned for the next time.
12 years ago, I had a similar species of Magpie, I found it as a chick that had fallen from the nest. However I was moving of the country, and I left the chick with my parents in a big cage ( I made it specially for him). I left a mirror inside in order he could recognise his relatives with the idea of leaving him free when it would be old enough. Sadly my parents did nt and he lived about 10 years in the cage.
I dont care about what "experts" said. Generally they know about the animals but they dont have idea of what to do to help them. They are very pesimists about wild animals. With the swift chick, they told me I couldnt do anything for him. They were amazed when I told them I had already been feeding him by 2 weeks. Yes giving food every 2 hours, every day can be difficult because of jobs, but it is quite satisfying see them grow and finally flying away. And thanks to him, I learned a lot about swifts and the migratory journey. Now each year I see them flying around and I wonder if one of them is the one I had |
I like the story about the little mouse!
I have rescued and tried to rehabilitate many wild animals over the years including,
6 two day old baby rabbits their mother had tried to cannibalise because the breeder just couldn't resist picking them up! Sadly, the mortality rate is very high in these cases, but I had to try.
The year before last I had 7 hedgehogs in the space of 2 months (it was a very bad year)
Successfully rescued a goldfish(not a wild animal - but came from a neighbours pond, so I thought I'd include it) a cat brought to my doorstep!
Many little field mice
2 myxomatosis wild rabbits (both at separate times, and both died)
A snapping turtle from a local pond - the poor thing had swallowed a fishing hook
Too many birds to remember (the nicer ones of this year are the 2 baby blackbirds and a starling which I hand reared - all of which were then taken on to a sanctuary to be acquainted with normal bird behaviour and other birds, before they were released into the wild)
Luckily I work at a vets, so have access to all the medication and advice that I need, but that hasn't always been the case. I am sorry to hear, Fritillary, that you have had some bad experiences but there are many wildlife centres, vets and rehabilitation keepers out there who are only happy to help and advise - don't be put off!